Hannibal Lecter: Transhumanist Icon

Hannibal Lecter: Transhumanist Icon

It's one of the oldest and most enduring of human dreams -- the drive to become like gods. But the gods don't necessarily share our morals. After all, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Although shocking to thriller readers, who were up in arms when Clarice ultimately ended up at Hannibal's side, the theme of humans stepping over the line is a familiar one to science fiction fans. After all, the original SF novel, FRANKENSTEIN, dealt with the idea that, "There are some things man was not meant to know."
Roger Williams, the author of THE METAMORPHOSIS OF PRIME INTELLECT, views the Hannibal Lecter series through the skeptical transhumanist's lens. If we decide to Become greater than ourselves, are we confident we will maintain control of the outcome?
This is the original, unaltered 2005 essay that caused all the fuss, now formatted for easy reading on the device of your choice. Be aware this essay includes spoilers, so we strongly advise you to read the books and watch the movies first if you haven't already.